Posted by frenchicfinland Admin
How to paint ceramic tiles
Painting tiles is a quick and cost-effective way to update a kitchen or bathroom without renovating. With the right preparation and suitable paint, you’ll get a durable, beautiful, easy-to-clean surface.
The benefits of Frenchic paints for painting tiles
- Choose from dozens of ready-made shades, with no tinting costs
- Enjoy the beautifully self-leveling finish of Frenchic paints
- Fast drying times and no odor while painting
- Frenchic paints go a long way and are an affordable option
- You don’t need a separate tile paint; you can use the same versatile paint for other projects too, reducing paint waste
- You don’t need a separate primer, because Frenchic paints already contain primer: you save on supplies and work time
Painting tiles: how to refresh surfaces without renovating
Old tiles can seem like the final word, but in reality, they’re just a starting point.
Painting tiles is a surprisingly easy way to completely transform a room without demolition, dust, or major expense. The right shade can add a fresh look to your kitchen backsplash, create harmony in your bathroom, or give a room an entirely new feel, without a single tile coming loose from the wall.
Many people wonder, though, whether tiles can really be painted to achieve a lasting result. The answer is yes, as long as you prepare the surface carefully and use the right paint for the job. Most problems, such as peeling or poor adhesion, are caused by incorrect preparation, not the paint itself.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to paint tiles, step by step. You’ll get clear instructions on cleaning, roughening, painting, and finishing, so you can achieve a neat, durable surface that stands up to everyday use and looks great for a long time.
How to paint ceramic tiles with Frenchic paints
- Clean the surface thoroughly and rinse off any detergent residue.
- Remove any silicone sealant; this is a good time to replace it.
- Lightly sand the surface to be painted and wipe away the dust.
- Apply at least two coats of thoroughly mixed paint.
- Let the first coat dry for about 2 hours before applying the second coat. Do not touch up the surface while it is drying. The second coat will even out the color.
- If there is a big difference in shade (white-dark) between the surface being painted and the chosen shade, you may need more coats than usual. Make sure you have enough paint to complete the project.
- Treat the surface gently for 2–3 weeks, until the paint has fully cured.
Cleaning painted surfaces:
- Use a mild detergent
- Avoid abrasive tools, steam cleaning, and strong chemicals.
Can you paint tiles with Frenchic paint?
Yes, most ceramic wall tiles can be painted.
Exceptions include floor tiles and areas exposed to standing water or hot steam, such as saunas, shower floors, and areas behind stoves, with some caveats. Read our instructions for more.
Ceramic tiles can be painted:
With paints from the Al Fresco and Wall Paint ranges.
Before deciding to paint, however, consider your usage habits and how much wear the area to be painted will get in everyday use. Painting tiles is an easy and affordable way to update their look, but it’s worth considering the maintenance required in advance.
It’s easier than you think: just follow our instructions
The kitchen backsplash tiles in the image below have been painted in the dark gray shade Smudge (the Al Fresco range). A clear glass panel has been installed behind them to protect the painted surface from hot steam.
Ceramic tiles – a durable and popular surface material
Tiles provide a water-resistant surface for kitchens and bathrooms. Over time, however, their colors and patterns can start to feel dated. Painting is an easy way to update the look.
Why paint tiles?
Often, the reason is appearance. Old tiles can be worn or look dated. Painting offers a fresh, affordable alternative to replacing tiles.
Removing tiles is laborious and expensive. Painting can save you both time and money, and easily give your space a new look.
Choose the right paint – Al Fresco or Wall Paint
You can paint tiles with either the Wall Paint range or paints from the Al Fresco range.
- The wall paint has an ultra-matte finish.
- Al Fresco has a semi-matte finish and is available in smaller containers (250–750 ml).
Surface preparation is an important step
Surface preparation is crucial to a successful result. Clean, dry, and lightly roughen the surface before painting. Replace old silicone joints with new ones if needed.
Rinse off all cleaning products you have used thoroughly: a film of detergent prevents the paint from adhering fully. Use products from only one manufacturer throughout the project.
Caring for painted tiles
Allow the paint to cure for about three weeks before normal use. Do not get the surface wet during the first week. After that, clean it carefully and avoid scrubbing. You can begin using it gently 48h after painting.
Inspiration for painting tiles
Al Fresco and wall paint ranges come in a wide range of colors. You can choose, for example, modern gray, bold green, or classic white. Alternating colors or metallic grout lines can also add visual impact.
Image: Copper-coloured Frensheen on tile joints.
Cleaning and surface preparation before painting
Clean mold, dirt, and grease from surfaces with Sugar Soap cleaner and rinse well.
Silicone joints and seals
Do not paint over silicone joints: replace them with new ones. Lightly sand the tile so the paint gets the best possible adhesion. Use high-quality tape for masking.
Apply the paint lightly with a brush or roller
A small roller is suitable for large surfaces, and a brush for corners. Stir the paint well before use. Read tips on choosing a brush.
Care for the painted surface gently
Use mild detergents and avoid scrubbing and steam cleaning. Scratches can be repaired with touch-up painting.
Allow time for the project and do a test patch
A test patch lets you get familiar with your chosen tools and see how quickly the paint dries and how many coats are needed. Check the shades at home beforehand and get colour samples for choosing a colour. Let the paint dry undisturbed for 48 hours before light use, and handle it with care for about three weeks.
Where Al Fresco and Wall Paint are not suitable
Paints are not recommended for areas with standing water (baths, showers, sinks, saunas), areas exposed to high heat or humidity, or floor tiles. Paints cannot be used as waterproofing and will not repair damaged tile surfaces.
Painting floor tiles: at your own risk
Officially, painting floor tiles is not recommended, but customers have succeeded in areas with light use. Always assess how the area will be used and how much wear it will get, and be prepared to repaint as needed based on wear and use.
Painting, paint drying, and curing
- Avoid painting in direct, hot sunlight.
- The best conditions for painting are when the air and surface temperatures are 10–32 °C and the humidity is below 85%.
- Avoid painting outdoors if rain, frost, fog, or condensation is expected within the next 48 hours, or if the temperature may drop below 10 degrees.
- Wood surfaces in particular can retain moisture for up to 48 hours after rain or washing.
- Make sure the surface to be painted is completely dry before painting.
- Use only clean, high-quality tools for painting, such as a brush or roller.
- Also suitable for spray application – thin with up to 10–15% clean water, depending on the equipment.
- Let the paint level out on its own and allow its "Self Levelling" property to work – avoid overworking the paint.
- Allow at least 2 hours between coats, even if the paint feels dry to the touch.
- The painted surface reaches its full hardness in 2–3 weeks under normal conditions. Handle surfaces with care until fully cured.
- Avoid scratching the freshly painted surface and walking on the painted floor for at least 4 hours. Walk without shoes for the next 7 days and keep pets off the surface. Do not wet the surface during the first week and treat it gently for about three weeks.
- Afterward, use mild cleaning products and non-abrasive cleaning tools. Steam cleaning or a steam mop is not recommended for painted floors.
Paint storage and cleaning
- Close the paint can tightly after use.
- Protect the paint can from insects, pollen and debris when painting outdoors.
- Clean up splashes immediately with warm water.
- Wash brushes in warm soapy water immediately after use.
- Do not store paint cans in damp, hot or freezing conditions.
Instructions for choosing a shade
- We strive for the most accurate color reproduction possible on our website, but shades may vary depending on device settings, lighting and surface texture. The best way to choose a shade is to visit a Frenchic stockist or order a 250 ml sample tin and try the paint at home.
- Make sure you have enough paint for the entire project. If using multiple cans, make sure they are from the same production batch (batch number), or mix the contents of the cans together before painting.
- A single thin coat or thinned paint can reduce durability.
- Porous and uneven surfaces (e.g. MDF, fiberglass wallpaper, woven surfaces, raw wood) use more paint. All Frenchic paints must be applied in at least two coats.
- Assess the shade only after it has dried following two coats. The color impression changes depending on the lighting and neighboring shades, as well as on different surfaces (horizontal vs. vertical).
- Paint coverage, color reproduction and yield are also affected by mixing the paint and the shade of the base color.
Choose accessories for your project and explore the gallery
- Accessories, tapes and cleaning products
- Paint rollers and handles, fillers
- Paintbrushes
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Finishing coats
- Get inspired by the photos in our gallery
